Skip to main content

Take a trip back to the exciting Pleistocene Era in Utah

 About 110 miles west of Salt Lake City lies the renown Bonneville Salt Flats, a remnant of the Pleistocene era Lake Bonneville. For nature lovers and enthusiasts it is a sight to see, comparable to nothing else.

 At one time Lake Bonneville covered a third of the State of Utah. The Great Salt Lake and Utah Lake are remnants of a once ancient sea that dominated the landscape.

 During the summertime the temperatures at Bonneville Salt Flats reach over a 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and plunge below 32 degrees freezing point during the nights. 

                                   
 
  Photo by Leonardo Rossatti


What exactly is the Pleistocene period? Well, it was the last Ice Age the world went through about 11,700 years ago

. During that time the United States including Utah had saber toothed cats, mastodons and mammoths roaming the shorelines of Lake Bonneville, to name just a few. 


The ancient seabed which is now Bonneville Salt Flats, was once the bottom of a inland sea that's maximum depth was over 1,000 feet. 


The total size of the Salt Flats are 30,000 acres. Today the Salt Flats are just that nothing but a dried up seabed of salt. 90% of the Bonneville Salt Flats is made of common table salt.


 Looking across the seabed as far as your eyes can reach, the distance is unmeasurable to a bystander or tourist. 

During the hot season which is summer and spring, your eye can play tricks with you creating a mirage, making you think there is some form of water in the distance.

At some points the thickness of the salt deposit is as much as 5 feet. During the winter there is about an inch of water that lies on top of the salt. Beneath the salt is a layer of soft mud. 


                                               Photo by Sherrel Campbell


The Salt Flats are open to the public and people can drive on the surface, but it is highly dangerous in that your car can get stuck in the mud.


 It is not recommended to drive on the surface during winter and even sometimes during the summer.  As a matter of fact the Bureau of Land Management of Utah or BLM doesn't recommend driving upon the Flats at all. 


Of course the Bonneville Salt Flats are world renown for racing cars and breaking speed records, the earliest being in 1914 with a Mercedes Benz.

As of recent, the thickness of the salt has been diminishing due to annual car races, up to 3 seperate races that have taken a toll on the ancient seabed.

So if you're looking for a great trip to a amazing landscape. If you're a nature enthusiast or just enjoy seeing nature's beauty and love to travel. 

Make your next trip to the Bonneville Salt Flats through Trip Advisor.  Fly into Salt Lake City and see the wonderful landscapes Utah has to offer.






Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Hidden gems of Northern Utah's Logan for outdoor enthusiasts and everything in between

                                           Logan as a University Town Logan is home to Utah State University and with that said it is hip and always in the loop. What do I mean? Well, with university towns fluctuation of people is renewed every year. Graduation parties and new students coming in from all over the United States. Logan is also a city that is nearby a lot of outdoor activities namely Bear Lake and of course Logan Canyon .  What is the point of this article? Well, for one I would like to write about how nice and pleasant Logan is, and share some of its great attributes. Right of the bat I would say it is much cooler up in Logan than in Salt Lake City. Logan is about 82 miles away from Salt Lake City and it takes about an hour and twenty minutes driving.  The beautiful thing about Logan is not only the destination but the drive up north which can be very relaxing, given that you enjoy riding in a car. Some people don't appreciate the ride, but rather only focus on th

Mammoth Mighty Five Of Utah Are Awaiting Your Visit

  Bryce Canyon National Park      Photo by Jenny Uhling Indeed the Mighty Five are awaiting your visit this year 2021. It's been quite a ride and a nasty one with COVID-19 and we're all itching and hoping for some good times to roll in. Sunshine desert and landscapes galore await visitors from all over the world. Especially the Mighty Five - Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park - Canyonlands National Park - Capitol Reef National Park and Zion National Park.  Each one has something special to offer, but all have a lifetime of memories that are priceless once experienced. If you love red rock country, hoodoos, dry heat, deserts and natural landscapes well...Southern Utah has you covered.  Zion National Park is the southern most destination near to Spring City and St. George. Now if you enjoy the night life, I'd pick that one, because you're about only 120 miles or 193 kilometers away from Las Vegas, Nevada . If you're a good driver and don't stop ever

Look! Exciting And Fantastic Sky Lantern Festival Coming To Utah

 Lantern Show in Utah is coming our way. Chinese tradition of lighting lanterns to welcome the spring season and rebirth in many ways. There are so many lantern shows in the U.S. and worldwide, this time here in Salt Lake City. It's a opportunity to go outdoors and at dusk release a lantern into the air and watch  dozens upon dozens of lanterns as they are released in the desert skies.  Lanterns being released    Photo by Abby Kihano Sky Lantern Festival is coming it will be on Friday and Saturday May 21 & 22nd 2021. Per their official website they say the Sky Lantern Festival is inspired by Thai Lantern Festivals. The prices for now in April are relatively low at 27.50 per person, which includes a lantern kit for ages 7 and up. Things you can bring with you are chair or a tarp or large blanket to rest on. No outdoor food is allowed, but they do sell smores which includes Hershey's chocolate, graham crackers and marshmallows which can be put together to make about 10 smore